German Turk freed from Guantanamo

Mr Kurnaz said he went to Pakistan to study Islam

A German-born Turkish national has been released from US custody at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba where he has been held since 2002, US officials say.

Murat Kurnaz was handed over to German officials after being flown to the Ramstein air base in Germany.

His lawyer says he has already been reunited with his family.

Mr Kurnaz was held in Pakistan in 2001 and then accused by the US of being an al-Qaeda member. But a US review board later said the claims were unfounded.

Mr Kurnaz, who was born in the northern German city of Bremen, had denied the claims, saying he went to Pakistan to study Islam.

His release follows lengthy negotiations between the German government and the US officials, correspondents say.

It was not immediately clear whether Mr Kurnaz might face any investigation in Germany.

Lengthy negotiations

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said earlier this year that the US camp "should not exist", adding that "different ways" should be found to deal with prisoners.

US President George W Bush later rejected Ms Merkel's criticism, saying the camp was a necessary part of protecting the American people.

Guantanamo Base opened in 2002, and about 450 inmates still remain there.